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By Crystal Reith After years in the classroom and a life-changing health journey, Edgerton native Hiedi Stoel is starting a new chapter in education with the launch of Elevate Education, an inperson tutoring and enrichment service based in Slayton.
Seeing a gap in local services for in-person academic support, Stoel decided to create Elevate Education, which was named to promote students rising higher with their learning. The business will serve students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 and is designed not only for those who struggle academically, but also for highly motivated students seeking enrichment and advanced learning opportunities.
“Elevate Education is dedicated to empowering students through individualized instruction that strengthens understanding, builds confidence and promotes lasting academic growth. Our mission is to create a supportive learning environment where every student can achieve their fullest potential,” said Stoel. “There really isn’t another place like this in the area where kids can go and get academic support.”
Services will include math, reading, writing, enrichment, test-taking strategies and study skills, all tailored to individual student needs. Stoel plans to meet with each student to identify strengths, challenges and goals before creating a personalized learning plan that can be adjusted session by session.
“Tutoring builds on what students learn in the classroom, strengthening their understanding and filling in any learning gaps. Through consistent support, students gain lasting comprehension and develop the study habits that lead to confidence and success,” she said. “Some students cruise along, and others need more time on certain skills. It’s really about meeting them where they’re at.”
According to Stoel, one-onone tutoring can build confidence and self-esteem, provide individualized academic support, improve student work habits, create motivation to succeed and increase knowledge and understanding of subjects. In-person tutoring also offers focused, personalized attention tailored to student needs, immediate, hands-on feedback to strengthen understanding, improved concentration in a structured learning environment, fewer distractions and greater engagement.
“Online tutoring can be hard for kids,” said Stoel. “Technology doesn’t always work, and it’s harder to stay engaged. When someone is sitting right next to you, building a relationship, you can adapt lessons in the moment. Teaching is just as much about relationships as it is academics. It’s a partnership that supports steady growth and long-term success.”
Elevate Education will offer both one-on-one tutoring and small group sessions of three to four students, starting with four individual students and two group sessions. Looking ahead, Stoel hopes to expand services to include ACT and SAT prep, workshops, community education classes and additional support for homeschool and online learners, including help with organization and staying on track.
“Kids learn in all different ways,” she said. “Having a place where lessons are personalized, where we can try something different in the moment, really helps. I really want to see kids succeed and that’s why I started this.”
Stoel, who now lives in Avoca, is a graduate of Edgerton Public School and earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bemidji State University in 2015. With eight years of teaching experience, she looks forward to applying her skillset and activity-based learning approach to tutoring. In addition to her own experiences and background, she also plans on utilizing resources and strategies she gained from fellow educators throughout her career.
“You can learn so much from your peers. I have been able to see how different teachers styled lessons and activities and have seen what worked in classrooms,” Stoel said. “Learning doesn’t have to be miserable. I can personalize it and make it enjoyable.”
While Elevate Education is just getting started, Stoel has big plans for the future, including possible expansion of services and locations.
“I would love to expand. I want to help kids to be able to achieve their goals and be confident, independent learners that can learn skills that they may not have had the opportunity to learn otherwise,” said Stoel. “Everyone can learn, but everyone needs different supports or tools.”
Elevate Education will be based at 2314 26th Street in Slayton. An open house is planned for February 21, with tutoring sessions expected to begin in early March.
